Coaching changes excite Tony Cullen

It’s all change behind the scenes at FC United as manager Karl Marginson reorganises his backroom staff. Former fans favourite Tony Cullen is now back in the home dressing room as the newly installed first team coach and Loz Greenhalgh steps up to replace Tony as reserve team manager.

"I never expected this and it caught me by surprise,"?? admits Cullen. "Knowing how important the role is I went away and had a little think about it. Then I realised it was a great challenge and I’m definitely up for it."??

Tony’s new role sees him working closely with Margy on all aspects of match day performance. "After each game we’ll have a meeting and look at where we need to do some work,"?? he explains. "Then I’ll go away and come up with some ideas before taking the training sessions, with Karl always on hand to oversee everything."??

Cullen puts the upturn in the Reds first-team fortunes in recent games and his appointment as merely a happy coincidence. "The team are going well and the players are gaining in confidence and responding well to training,"?? he adds. "It’s very important to have a happy changing room and to keep the lads buzzing and the banter flowing."??

"If we can do that then the football side of things will come later so long as we concentrate on ourselves rather the opposition. Although we are a little inexperienced at the back, and we’ll work on that, we’ll always frighten teams going forward."??

The attacking cause has been helped by the arrival of former Manchester United reserve team striker Aaron Burns to FC United’s first team squad and Tony has been impressed with the young striker’s attitude and dedication.

"He’s been a breath of fresh air,"?? says Cullen. "He works his socks-off, makes intelligent runs and brings the best out of the other players around him. And he’s a nice lad as well!"??

Despite taking on the new role, Tony was keen to heap praise on his former charges. He added: "I’d like to thank all of the reserve team for all their hard work and professionalism over the last 18 months. I’m sure that they’ll all continue their great progress under Loz and I wish them all the best for the future."??

Mark Swanwick